What Next...

In 5 days it will officially be our 6 month anniversary of being in Haiti!  We have learned so much and have been exposed to many things in such a short time.  One of my main tasks is working with teams who travel to serve with us at BHM.  I become "Tour Guide Barbie" and show them around the mission property after they arrive.

Upon meeting new people when they come to visit Haiti,
 it is only seconds into the conversation before I am asked, "How long have you been in Haiti?  How long do you plan to stay in Haiti?"  I was beginning to think this was just a question that the "New, Young Missionaries" received.  Until yesterday...

I was able to have a grand 'ol skype date with one of my best friends in the world!  She is newly married and "settling" into life as a Mrs.  Not long into our conversation she too began to share about the question she receives regularly from others, the "what next..."

I am very blessed to have married a planner.  Trey is very driven and daily seeks the Lord for direction.  I too do my fair share of planning (I have realized since being in Haiti, I am a much bigger "planner" than I ever thought.)  However, there is a fine balance in planning and having direction vs. missing the moment the Lord has placed us in.

Our response when asked how long we plan to stay in Haiti, is as long as the Lord wants us here, "we are just doing life."  We know today this is where we are supposed to be and we confidently trust we will know if we are to leave.  I wonder if you too are in the midst of experiencing the "what next" question.

All of our "what next..." questions may be quite different.  You may be in a serious dating relationship, "What next?"  Perhaps you have just lost your job, "What next?"  Maybe a dear loved one has just passed, "What next?"  You may be working your way through college, "What next?"  The list goes on and on...

Proverbs 16:9

The heart of man plans his way; but the Lord establishes his steps

Trey and I talk about this verse often.  In simple, we practice this by seeking to make our plans in pencil.  It is a true blessing to know we are not in control!  As you work through your day rather that be sitting in a classroom, working in an office, or holding things together in the home, take peace in the fact that you do not have to know what is next.  

The Creator of the Universe loves you far more than you can ever imagine and knows EXACTLY what is next for His children.  Take captive this truth today and walk confidently with your pencil in hand and eraser nearby.  One of our favorite quotes is found above at the top of our blog by Jim Elliot:

Wherever you are, be all there.  Live to the hilt every moment you believe to be the will of God.

Do not miss today wondering what the next hour, week, or month may hold.  Grab today by the shoulders and enjoy it!